NJHUNTER-L Archives

From: "Cynthia Jones" <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Slaves and freed persons surnames
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 11:01:45 -0500
References: <200110171401.f9HE14827987@lists2.rootsweb.com>

To get a "first hand" account of the rational for electing surnames for
slaves and former slaves, read the Autobiography of Booker T. Washington,
"Up from Slavery." There is a section in the book where he describes the
somewhat arbitrary nature of name selection. I am sure Dennis Reiley's
account can be included in origin of family names.



X-Message: #2
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 17:40:57 -0400
From: "Dennis Reiley" <>
To:
Message-ID: <001e01c1568b$3e53b280$>
Subject: Re: [NJHUNTER] Slaves and freed persons in Hunterdon
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First, I have never heard of census takers giving anyone a surname, although
they are certainly responsible for numerous misspellings.

A lot of slaves who were on the estates of some of the more enlightened
owners chose to use the same surname because they respected that person.
Others chose the surname of someone they respected including that of someone
who assisted them in gaining freedom. The large numbers of Washington's,
Jefferson's, etc. are primarily examples of choosing the surname of someone
they respected. Some even arbitrarily chose a name they liked. In the years
following WW II unwed mothers have used Roosevelt, claiming the father had
that name.

It is almost certain that ex-slaves chose their surnames, whether they did
so willingly or because they had been told by their ex-masters what their
surname was and didn't think of changing it. However, once chosen they were
as likely to maintain that surname down through the generations as anyone
else.

I think the above covers all the possibilities but someone might know of
others.

Best wishes,
Dennis Reiley


----- Original Message -----
From: "john newman" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 3:05 PM
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Slaves and freed persons in Hunterdon


>
> While researching I came across several freed slaves with the same surname
within the same vicinity as the surname I was researching.
>
> I have two questions:
>
> 1. Was it common for freed people (or slaves) to adopt the surname of
their masters? And was it normal for the census takers to give freed slaves
the surnames of their former masters?
>
> 2. Can someone give me information about getting slave manumission
records in Hunterdon? Where are they located, etc.
>
> thanks,
>
> - john
>
>
>
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______________________________
Cindi J
----- Original Message -----
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Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 9:01 AM
Subject: NJHUNTER-D Digest V01 #204

This thread:

• [NJHUNTER] Slaves and freed persons surnames by "Cynthia Jones" <>